Distressed woman on a bridge was seconds from jumping into a river — until one police officer did what others hesitated to do
Trigger Warning: This article contains themes of attempted suicide that can be distressing for some readers.
In many scenarios, a person might not be able to seek the help they need. One woman was going through a very difficult phase in her life. She was about to jump off a bridge on the day after Christmas when people noticed her. A trooper, Jacob Tizzard, received a call about the woman while he was on duty. He immediately rushed to the location and managed to save her life with the help of other cops and passersby in the area, as reported by Knox News on Saturday, December 27, 2025.
"How can we help her? How can we talk her down?" Tizzard thought as he approached the scene. At least four people had called 911 to report the woman's situation, according to the outlet. The woman had been standing on a 60-mile marker bridge above the Holston River, and Tizzard was well aware of the dangers the woman faced. He still decided to keep his calm as officers talked the woman down from taking the next step. "Our role was to support her and let her know we cared," Tizzard pointed out. Capt. Kevin Kimbrough, the Fall Branch District supervisor, also explained why trying to pull the woman off the bridge could have been dangerous for a first responder or trooper.
"It's very dangerous to pull someone from a bridge or cliff," Kimbrough explained. The person trying to jump off might jerk themselves forward and unintentionally drag the rescuer trying to pull them off the spot. He tried to talk to the woman for an hour. She revealed whatever had been happening in her life, and Kimbrough tried to reassure her that her struggles could be addressed. "Ma'am, you've got every opportunity in the world to turn your life around. There's nothing that you're facing right now that you can't fix. There are going to be family and loved ones ripped apart from your actions." A preacher passing through the area had also prayed for the woman, according to PEOPLE.
A retired U.S. Marine was also ready to offer help if needed. But at one point, people had realized that the woman wouldn't be persuaded to come down. She had also told everyone around her to stay back. "We need to get her now," Tizzard remembered thinking. Kimbrough gave him a silent go-ahead as he held onto the woman to pull her backward. "I didn't want to lose grip of her, or both of us could end up going over the edge. There was no room for error." Another trooper, Lance Willis, held onto Tizzard's belt, and he managed to get the woman off the bridge. Teams in a boat were also present on the river below.
A video of the rescue was shared by the Tennessee Highway Patrol's Facebook page. "A woman was in a dark place and was considering jumping. Because people showed up and worked together, she is alive tonight," the post read. "Stress, grief, loneliness, and fear can pile up fast. That does not mean someone is weak. It means they are human. If you are struggling, please hear this. You matter, and help is available." They added, "If you need help right now: Call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours a day. Chat at 988lifeline.org. If you are in immediate danger, call 911."
If you are having thoughts about taking your own life, or know of anyone who is, please contact The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)